Bowen rose to prominence in the OHL playing with the Ottawa 67's. He was a solid left wing and helped the 67's in both an offensive and defensive role. After the NHL Draft, Bowen would play two more years in the OHL before moving up to the AHL as a member of the Adirondack Red Wings. He would twice make the Canadian National Team in 1995 and 1997. After his most recent national appearance he signed with the Manitoba Moose of the IHL and lead them to a second place finish in the Midwest (with an eventual loss in round two of the playoffs). Soon after he decided to join the emerging Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom. He played for the Nottingham Panthers in 1999 and later signed with the Manchester Storm and the Belfast Giants spending one and four years respectively. Most recently Curtis (or "Curt" as he's know in the EIHL) played yet again for the Nottingham Panthers in the 2005–2006 season racking up 14 goals with 25 assist for 39 points overall.